New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-29

vvbetbar the discovery of this absolute"
appertains to the methods or even the DOMAIN Oh
physical science is, however question not Hgho
ly to be answered The deeper research Is carried
into physics the nearer the realm OF the imponder-
able is approached the stronger seems the
probability that the solution may have to be trans
ferred from the department of physics to that OF
psychics. Modern as this idea is In one point OF
view. it is hoary with antiquity In another 1t Is
but single illustration from many which might
be cited of the coordination between mysticism
and materialism on certain lines Of research. Aud
because Balzac had studied the mystics as well as
the scientists he put INTO his discussion OF these
deep matters a keenness of perception, shrewd-
ness of Interpretation, which make II lnpossioie
that his ideas should become obsolete until the
race has accomplished advances IN thought and
demonstration far beyond anything at present In
sight,
To the few this phase of the "Alkahest" viii
will be of interest. To the many 1t is the human
ity of the story which appeals. OF the passions
here dissected there is not one familiarity with
which may not be the destiny OF any reader ana
one cannot picture reader so barren OF expert
euce as not to recognize in Balzae's men anu
women the realism, the naturalness. the frailties,
the excellences Of actual flesh and blood Thus
the domestic tragedy of the House of Claes is
morphoses Balthazar, stifesl in him all natural
affection. extincuishes IN him even that jealousy
ofreputation inherited from long line OF merchant
ancestors is indeed fierce and consuming In
fuence but it's operation upon the strong man
Is perfectly natural, and the swlitness OF
its advance is partly explained by the potency OF
the deusions which it engenders a1d wherewith IL
entrenches itself against the assaults of wounded
love Nothing in reality could be more egostic than
Bathazar's abandonment to his shadOwy quest;
vet he Is made to regard it as a noble ana SELF
sacrificing enterprise, out of which is 10 emerge
splendid material fortune for his house. and re-
no wn and honor for his burgb. The presence OF
these illusions could alone explain the servtude OF
q man like Claes to fixed idea, but they do in
fact render his position Ineligible.
The "Alkahest is q strong story, and all through
it is to be felt that subcurrent of vitazng energy
which in so many of Balzacs books seems to propel
the principal characters as in special atmosphere
burrying them with kind of fiery yet restrained
Impotence toward the doom assigned them. From
the moment Bathazar ClaGs enters upon the scene,
distracted negligent of dress heavy of foot, it Is
seen that the Fates have set theman aside. Thence
forward all through the struggle which is carried
on over and around him the invisible powers are
impelling him to his appointed end. The lnexor-
abeness of his destiny is manifested. The dominant
passion multlplies its coils about his soul. Further
and further he drifts from the love of wife ana
children. But is it up or down--into the empyrean
or the abyss-that he being carriedf surely
the authors purpose is not too heavily disguised.
Intellect is set against Heart from first to last All
the misery springs from the workings OF the first:
all the joy and redemption from the operation OF
the second 1t is part OF his hallucination. OF the
veil of illusion which cheats him, to imagine that
he is soaring when his descent is the swifteSt lie
dies al last. with the delusio1 still full upon him
Intellec tua absorption and divorce from Love have
brought him fantasy and despair. But he leaves
behind in his daughter Marguerite the type and
emblem of Loves perfect work, the defence and
protection of the helpless the reward and consola-
ton of the pure and unseish.
Miss Wormeley has made Enthusiastically ex-
celleut translation of book which presents many
unusual difficulties and abstruse points 1t israrely
possible TO assert with any truth that an English
version of French book may be read by the public
with nearly as much profit and apprehension as the
original but it is the simple fact thus instance,
and it is certainly remarkable enough 10 deserve
emphasis.